How to pack fragile items for a house move

Get the basics right first

Good packing starts with the right materials. You want strong, double-walled boxes, plenty of packing paper or bubble wrap, strong tape, and a marker pen. Newspaper is fine for wrapping non-delicate items, but the ink can mark china and glass, so paper or bubble wrap is better for anything precious.

Sort as you go. Keep heavy items in small boxes so they can be lifted safely, and use the bigger boxes for lighter things like bedding and cushions. A box that is too heavy is the most common cause of damage, both to your back and to the contents.

Glassware and china

Wrap each item individually rather than stacking them together. For plates, wrap each one and then pack them on their edge like records, not flat in a stack, which is far more likely to crack under weight. Fill any gaps so nothing can shift.

Cups and glasses can be packed with a little padding inside and around them. Stand glasses upright where you can, and cushion the bases. Mark the box 'fragile' on every side and keep it out of the bottom of any stack.

Mirrors, pictures and screens

Mirrors, framed pictures and TVs travel best flat or upright and well padded, never loose in the van. Tape an X across glass surfaces for extra support, wrap the whole item, and use corner protection where you can.

If you still have the original box for a TV or monitor, use it. Otherwise wrap it in a padded moving blanket and keep it upright for the journey.

Electronics and lamps

Photograph the back of your electronics before you unplug anything, so you know which cable goes where. Coil and label cables, and pack each device separately rather than letting them knock against one another.

Lampshades are surprisingly easy to dent. Pack them in their own box with nothing heavy resting on top, and remove the bulbs and shades from lamps where you can.

Label like you mean it

Labelling saves time at the other end and helps you keep fragile boxes together. Write the room it belongs to and a short description, and add 'fragile' and 'this way up' where it matters. A numbered list on your phone is also a quick way to know roughly what is in which box.

When to call in help

If you have a lot of breakables, or anything genuinely valuable, a packing service is worth considering. We wrap glass, china and fragile items properly, label boxes by room, and take the stress out of a job that is easy to rush.

You can also go part-way: pack the everyday items yourself and leave the kitchen, glassware and the fiddly bits to us.

How do you pack wine glasses and stemware?

Stems are the weak point, so protect them first. Wrap a small piece of paper or bubble wrap around the stem on its own, then roll the whole glass in a sheet of paper, tucking the ends into the bowl. Stand each glass upright in the box rather than laying it on its side.

A box with cardboard dividers, often sold as a glassware or cell box, makes a big difference. If you do not have one, pack glasses in a single layer with crumpled paper between them, add a firm layer of card, then a second layer on top. Never put heavy items in the same box.

Shake the closed box very gently before taping. If you hear anything move or clink, open it and add more padding.

Packing ornaments, vases and keepsakes

Irregular shapes are harder than plates, because they have handles, spouts and thin edges. Fill hollow items such as vases and jugs with scrunched paper first, then wrap the outside. Give handles and spouts their own extra layer, as they snap off far more easily than the main body.

Small boxes work best for ornaments. Wrap each piece, nestle them together with plenty of padding, and put the heaviest pieces at the bottom. If something has real sentimental value and is small enough, consider carrying it yourself in the car with your documents and valuables.

For artwork without glass, such as canvases, wrap in clean paper and protect the corners, then stand them on edge between larger flat items.

How should you load fragile boxes on moving day?

How boxes are stacked matters as much as how they were packed. Fragile boxes should go on top of heavier boxes, never underneath, and should not be squashed against furniture that can shift. Keep them together so the crew can load them as a group.

Set your fragile boxes aside in one room before the van arrives and tell the crew which ones they are. They will usually load them towards the end so they come off first at the other end. When you unpack, open fragile boxes over a table or bed rather than the floor.

If you are also packing your kitchen, our guide on how to pack a kitchen covers pans, food cupboards and small appliances.

Common fragile packing mistakes

The usual problems are boxes that are too big, too little padding and old boxes that have gone soft. A large box of china becomes too heavy to lift safely and the bottom can give way. Supermarket boxes are fine for books and tins but often too weak for breakables.

Another mistake is leaving space at the top of the box. When the lid flexes inwards, items underneath take the pressure. Fill the top with crumpled paper until the lid closes flat without bulging. Finally, avoid packing fragile items in drawers of furniture that will be carried on its side.